Published July 20, 2026
The Spanish soccer team returned home after winning the World Cup, and an estimated crowd of around 2 million people greeted them on the streets of Madrid.
The 26 players and coaching staff arrived in the Spanish capital a day after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final in the US state of New Jersey, and met with members of the country’s royal family and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday.
“Thank you to the coaches and players for their style of play, effort, and victory,” Sanchez said. “We really enjoyed watching you play.”
The teams then boarded open-top buses and set off on a raucous parade through central Madrid. The bus had the words “Stars Shining Together” written on it and a photo of a soccer player.
The players held up the World Cup trophy and wore shirts that read “Somos Campeones” (We are the champions). They performed dances along the road and interacted with fans.
“It’s an emotional and proud experience to represent a great country with such passionate and dedicated fans,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said before the parade began. “We are full of joy.”
The team traveled from near the prime minister’s official residence, the Moncloa Palace, along Madrid’s historic boulevards to Plaza de Cibeles, where authorities told local media that around 120,000 people had gathered for the ceremony.
Groups of fans began securing their spots near Cibeles late Monday morning ahead of the team’s arrival, carrying umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun and temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius (95°F).
This square is where former Spanish teams and their supporters gather for celebrations. This is also the traditional place of celebration when Real Madrid wins the title.
Singers Aitana, Ana Mena and Lola Indigo were scheduled to entertain the crowd at the ceremony in Cibeles.
Officials estimate that about 1.8 million people welcomed the team in Madrid.
Spain won their second World Cup on Sunday with Ferran Torres’ winning goal in extra time and left with the trophy. This will be the first time since the 2010 South African Games.
The team was congratulated by the leaders of the three co-hosting countries, US President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
After the final whistle, Madrid was in a celebratory mood, with thousands of supporters pouring out of bars and restaurants into the streets, many wearing Spanish flags or team colors.
Crowds packed the capital’s Puerta del Sol and other main squares, singing, dancing and setting off smoke bombs as car horns blared.
Many celebrated Sunday’s victory until early Monday morning.
“I’m very happy. I slept for three or four hours, but I’ll do anything for the team,” said 19-year-old Victor Alvarez.
Combining the men’s championship with the Women’s World Cup, won by Spain in 2023, the European nation will become the first nation to hold both titles at the same time.
Gemma Rodero, a 59-year-old civil servant, said: “Honestly, it was very exciting. I wanted to experience it at home and not go to a bar or anything like that. I was focused and very happy and had a lot of fun.”
But the celebrations were muted after local authorities reported that a 13-year-old boy was killed in Salamanca, northwest of Madrid, when a fountain he climbed to celebrate with friends collapsed.
For many young supporters, this victory was the first time they saw a men’s team lift a trophy and the national excitement that followed.
